The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-08-10
MINISTER FOSTER SPEAKS.
The Attitude of the Canadian Cow
eminent on the Fisheries.
British War Vessels Likely to Assist
In the Protective Service.
Movements Of the United States Mer
of War.

HALIFAX, Aug. 9.-Minister Foster at the
Waverly House. on Friday night, referring
to reiterated charges Of the Opposition press
that the coasts are not efficiently protected,
remarked that it was a very difficult thing to
please an opposition. "If we don't make
seizures" he said, ''they charge us with do
ing nothing. If we do make seizures they
say we are harrassing and exasperating the
Yankees"
Being asked what he thought Of the queries
published by Admiral Luce, he said
Il have read them carefully. Captain
Scotts replies express his opinions very
frankly, and if American fishermen follow
the instructions of the Admiral, based upon
those replies, they will do all that Canada
asks or expects them to do. In regard to
those questions and answers. it must be un-
derstood that we don't make business of
supplying American vessels from the Banks
with necessary provisions to continue their
h0meward voyages. fhe dictates of human
ity will not allow US TO refuse the necessa-
ries Of life to vessel in absolute want, but
we don't intend to encourage them 70 remain
ON the Banks fishing until they run out al
most everything and then come In and get
supplies to continue their voyage home.
That's not our idea at all"
What about Captain Seott's reply TO
Query No. 3, which makes 1t appear that
the construction Of a word in an inteTnati0n-
al treaty is left TO the discretion of the local
customs officer or the captain Of cruiser?"
whenever an American vessel enters
port and absolutely needs anything not spec
ifed by treaty the collector or commander
communicates the fact to the Department at
Ottawa, from whence emanate instructions
in regard TO each particular case which Is
considered on its merits"
"The schooner Hodgson was recently fined
$500 for not reporting at Shelburne. All or
nearly all the fines imposed for similar Of
fences last year were remitted. Does the
6ning Of the H0dgson indicate new depar-
ture on the part OF the government on that
particular lineP"
"The papers in the Hodgson case had not
reached Ottawa when | left. The owners
Of the Hodgson merely deposited $500 pend
ing investigation: There have been some
cases in which the deposits were returned
The HOdgs0ns may be similar case"
I'm regard to the seizure of seines, boats
and men of the Gloucester schooners French
and Argonaut, do you consider those vessels
also liable 10 seizure?"
"Most certainly; otherwise the treaty and
law would be Of no effect. They admit that
their boats and men were caught in the act
of fishing. The boats, seines and men are
part Of the vessels. lIf the vessels were not
clearly liable to forfeiture, the whole Ameri-
can fleet might anchor along the three-mile
limit and send their boats and seines inshore
and take full fare of fish with impunity." !"
"H0w much truth Is there in the des-
patches which allege that the Washington
authorities have proposed and the Canadian
government approved satisfactory basis of
settlement of the whole question:"
None, as far as the Canadian government
Is concerned. Whatever proposals may have
been made to the English government have
not yet been submitted to Canada"
War Ships as Patrols.
OTTAWA, August 9.-The Free Press to-
night says Inquiry at the Fisheries De-
partment shows some grounds Il the state
ments that the British war vessels will as
sist in protecting the gulf and Atlantic
coast fisheries from American poachers. 1t
is understood that the warships will act as
patrols and be prepared to make seizures
whenever the opportunity occurs. There are
three warships available-Admiral Lyons
flagship Bellerophon, the Canada, and the
Pylades."
Warships and Fishermen.
HALIFAX, N. s., Aug 9.-The Ossipee and
Galena will probably sail in company with
the Richmond for Bar Harbor Thursday.
The Galena arrived at Halifax from Quebec
last night. The fishing vessels were then
Just commencing to arrive in the gulf and Sc
lar as could be observed were conducting
themselves properly. The news that vessels,
whose seine boats were seized at Sourls, had
reached Gloucester all right only became
known at Halifax yesterday.
A Manufactured Interview.
Captain Robert Boyd. United States Navy
commanding the United States flagship
Richmond, states that the alleged interview
which was published in the Boston Herald,
| and raenniad In tho Oftama and othar ~,
pers, Is manufactured and that he never
spoke with anybody about the supposed
withdrawing Of American fishing merchants
from the Canadian trade.